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Hackers are Coming: HBO Rings in August with a Data Breach

Turns out, you weren’t the only ones eager for Game of Thrones spoilers. Of course, we hope you didn’t launch a 1.5 terabytes attack on HBO to get them! That’s exactly what happened on July 31st, 2017, when the network giant fell victim to a large-scale cyber crime. Experts are already saying HBO’s data breach is larger than even the devastating attacks on Sony in 2014. In fact, it’s expected to have been about seven times bigger! Keep reading to learn more about the situation at HBO, including what the hackers have stolen and already leaked online.HBO Episodes and Scripts Made Public

On July 31st, it’s believed that hackers breached several areas of HBO’s computer network, since files were stolen from various locations. All of the items that were compromised remains unknown. However, we are aware that the cyber criminals took episodes, video content, scripts, and other files from HBO’s intellectual property. As of August 4th, the leaked data allegedly includes unaired episodes of Ballers and Room 104. No actual video content from Game of Thrones has been uploaded. However, a partial script for the next episode “The Spoils of War” has appeared — and hackers promise more is on its way!

Already in 2017, other entertainment companies such as Netflix and Disney have experienced similar breaches. The newest Netflix season of Orange is the New Black and the Disney film Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales were both targeted by hackers. However, unlike these two cases, HBO wasn’t asked for any ransom money by their attackers. The files were simply dumped online, after the thieves sent the following message to journalists: “The greatest leak of cyber space era is happening. What’s its name? Oh I forget to tell. It’s HBO and Game of Thrones……!!!!!!”

Company’s Email System Believed Safe

Despite the breach’s magnitude, HBO’s CEO Richard Plepler told his employees that the company’s email system is likely unharmed. However, this matter is still under investigation. HBO is also offering credit monitoring and other protection services to their employees, just as a preventive measure. As the days progress, more information should be revealed to the public. Stay tuned and try to avoid any illegal GoT content online. After all, you don’t want to ruin season seven for yourself!

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